Arise Academy

School pre-registration inspection report

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Arise Academy Cornerstones, 14 Willis Road, Croydon CR0 2XX

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Main inspection findings

Part 1. Quality of education provided All paragraphs  Leaders have written suitable curriculum and assessment policies that are likely to meet the needs of pupils aged 11 to 19 with social, emotional and mental health (SEMH) needs. The proprietors and leaders are working hard to remedy the concerns identified in this part at the previous inspection of Cressey College, of which this proposed new school is currently a part.  Leaders intend to adopt a flexible approach to teaching the curriculum. Pupils’ starting points will be assessed and gaps in their knowledge identified. Leaders plan to ensure that pupils’ needs identified in their education, health and care (EHC) plans are catered for suitably.  Leaders have prepared sequenced curriculum plans that cover all the required areas of learning. These include curriculum plans in English, mathematics, science, physical education, art, home-cooking skills and humanities.

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Main inspection findings

 The planned programme for personal, social, health and economic (PSHE) education includes wide coverage of fundamental British values, equality, and physical and mental health.  The requirements for relationships and sex education (RSE) are likely to be met. A suitable policy has been drafted and leaders plan to consult parents and carers when the proposed school opens. The policy is clear about parents’ right to withdraw their children from sex education. All the required content is covered in a discrete RSE programme.  Leaders have an appropriate plan to ensure that all pupils receive regular and impartial careers information, advice and guidance. They have commissioned an external adviser to provide younger pupils with workshops, and older pupils with personalised support and guidance.  Leaders’ plans to recruit and provide professional training to staff in order to ensure pupils receive high-quality education are underway.

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Main inspection findings

 The proposed school is appropriately resourced and staffed for up to 25 pupils with SEMH needs on site, and 15 pupils off site on the school’s community-based ‘pathways’ programme.  The standards in this part are likely to be met. Part 2. Spiritual, moral, social and cultural development of pupils All paragraphs  The PSHE education curriculum includes coverage of fundamental British values and all the protected characteristics, as identified in the Equality Act 2010.  Leaders are likely to ensure that pupils are taught about a range of religions, faiths and cultures. Pupils are likely to be encouraged to develop tolerance, mutual respect and appreciation of the diversity of modern British society.  The curriculum is supported by a range of planned educational outings. A programme of extra-curricular clubs is planned. Leaders intend that pupils will be able to contribute to decision-making as members of the school council.

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Main inspection findings

 The proposed school’s planned programme focuses on preparing most pupils for progression to mainstream further education. Pupils’ individual plans therefore focus on developing their communication, social skills and behaviour.  The proposed school’s staff code of conduct pays regard to guidance from the Department for Education’s ‘political impartiality in schools’ guidance. It makes clear that teachers must always present a balanced picture of opposing points of view in the teaching of any political topic.  The standard in this part is likely to be met. Part 3. Welfare, health and safety of pupils All paragraphs  Leaders have completed an advanced level of safeguarding and safer recruitment training. They are aware of, and committed to, their duties. They understand the importance of maintaining a strong safeguarding culture. Leaders intend to adopt the current system for identifying and documenting safeguarding concerns, and any

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Main inspection findings

action taken, that was established by Cressey College. This is suitable and in the process of being moved online. Staff are trained well; they have a clear understanding of the challenges pupils present and how to help. Leaders demonstrate a commitment to working with other professionals, including social care services and the local authority’s designated officer.  The proposed school’s safeguarding policy reflects the latest statutory guidance. It will be made available online when the proposed school launches its website.  The proposed school’s behaviour and anti-bullying policies are likely to be suitably implemented. Leaders are investing significant time, effort and training in the ‘relationships-first’ approach. This is likely to ensure that staff implement the behaviour policy consistently. Sanctions imposed for incidents of serious misbehaviour will be recorded online.  Leaders have written a suitable first-aid policy. There are some first aiders already

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Main inspection findings

trained and a plan to train many more. Processes for providing first aid and recording accidents are likely to be appropriate.  The proposed school’s health and safety and risk assessment policies need to be more specific, but are likely to be suitable overall. Risk assessments sampled of the premises, outings, visitors and pupils are all robust. They appropriately consider how to minimise the possible risks to pupils.  The proposed school is likely to be compliant with the Regulatory Reform (Fire Safety) Order 2005. Though documentation could be more organised than is currently the case, all the high-risk recommendations made in the most recent external fire-risk assessment have been completed. Checks on the fire alarm system, extinguishers and emergency lighting are up to date.  Leaders ensure that staffing levels are high, and will rise in line with the admission of new pupils. This means that plans to ensure that pupils are safely supervised are

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Main inspection findings

likely to be suitable.  The admission register is likely to meet the requirements, as is the online system used for recording pupil attendance.  The standards in this part are likely to be met. Part 4. Suitability of staff, supply staff, and proprietors All paragraphs  All the required pre-employment checks on proprietors, leaders, employees and agency staff have been, or are, completed in line with the requirements. All the checks are recorded accurately on the proposed school’s single central record.  The standards in this part are likely to be met. Part 5. Premises of and accommodation at schools All paragraphs  The proposed school is located on the ground floor of a council-owned building in West Croydon. It includes a small hall, courtyard, four main classrooms, two outdoor log cabin classrooms and a kitchen.  There are suitable toilets and washing facilities for pupils and staff, including those

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Main inspection findings

with disabilities.  The medical room facility is likely to meet all the requirements.  The acoustics, lighting and hot-water supplies are all likely to be suitable. Labelled drinking-water supplies are readily available to pupils.  Though the premises do not include changing and shower facilities, leaders intend to make use of a local leisure centre for physical education. The centre includes these facilities, which will be available for pupils’ exclusive use.  The standards in this part are likely to be met. Part 6. Provision of information All paragraphs  The proposed school’s leaders are clear about the information required to be made available to parents, inspectors and placing authorities. This, including all the required policies and formal complaints information, will be made available on the proposed school’s new website when it is launched. Leaders have also drafted a prospectus which includes key information, such as who the proprietors are and how to contact

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Main inspection findings

them.  Leaders ensure that EHC plans are reviewed in line with requirements, and they know to provide placing authorities with annual statements of income and expenditure.  Leaders have prepared a suitable template to report on a termly basis to parents on pupils’ progress and attainment in all the main areas of learning.  The standards in this part are likely to be met. Part 7. Manner in which complaints are handled All paragraphs  The proposed school’s complaints policy and formal complaints log are likely to meet the requirements.  The policy sets out, with appropriate timescales, how the proposed school intends to manage and record complaints. The log includes the stage of resolution and any action taken as a result.  The standard in this part is likely to be met. Part 8. Quality of leadership in and management of schools All paragraphs  Leaders’ working knowledge and understanding of the independent school standards

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Main inspection findings

are rapidly developing. They have worked hard to plan for the separation and opening of this new school.  The proprietors’ plans to invest in, support and hold leaders to account, are likely to ensure that the failings identified in the May 2022 inspection of Cressey College are not repeated.  Overall, leaders have worked effectively to ensure that all the standards are likely to be met if Arise Academy is registered as an independent school.  The standard in this part is likely to be met. Schedule 10 of the Equality Act 2010

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Main inspection findings

 Leaders have prepared an accessibility plan that proposes appropriate actions to increase accessibility to the curriculum, physical environment and written information.  This requirement is likely to be met.

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Compliance with regulatory requirements

The school is likely to meet the requirements of the schedule to the Education (Independent School Standards) Regulations 2014 (‘the independent school standards’) and associated requirements.

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Proposed school details

This inspection was carried out under section 99 of the Education and Skills Act 2008, the purpose of which is to advise the Secretary of State for Education about the school’s likely compliance with the independent school standards that are required for registration as an independent school.

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Proposed school details

Type of school Day school for pupils with SEMH needs

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Proposed school details

School status Independent special school

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Proposed school details

Proprietor Cressey Oasis Education Limited

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Proposed school details

Annual fees (day pupils) £52,431 to £105,000

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Proposed school details

Email address enquiries@horizoncare.co.uk

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recommendation

Age range of pupils Not applicable 11 to 19 11 to 19 Number of pupils on the school roll Not applicable 40 40

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School’s current position School’s proposal

Gender of pupils Not applicable Mixed Number of full-time pupils of compulsory school age Not applicable Up to 40

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School’s current position School’s proposal

Number of part-time pupils Not applicable 0 Number of pupils with special educational needs and/or disabilities Not applicable All pupils

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School’s current position School’s proposal

Of which, number of pupils with an education, health and care plan Not applicable All pupils

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School’s current position School’s proposal

Of which, number of pupils paid for by a local authority with an education, health and care plan Not applicable All pupils

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School’s current position School’s proposal

Number of full-time equivalent teaching staff Not applicable 10

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School’s current position School’s proposal

Number of part-time teaching staff Not applicable 0

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School’s current position School’s proposal

Number of staff in the welfare provision Not applicable 32

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Information about this proposed school

 The proposed school is currently operating as part of Cressey College. The proprietors, Horizon Care, are in the process of de-amalgamating Cressey College into four new, separate and independent day special schools. As one of these proposed new schools, leaders intend to open Arise Academy as soon as registration is granted. The proposed school will cater for pupils with EHC plans for their SEMH needs.  The proposed school will operate from Cornerstones, 14 Willis Road, Croydon CR0 2XX for up to 25 pupils.  A further 15 pupils, predominantly those of sixth-form age, will receive full-time education via the proposed school’s community-based ‘pathways’ programme. The staff delivering this programme are based at 1C–1D Balfour Road, London SW19 1JB. Pupils receive personalised teaching and support in a number of locations. These include Quakers Hall, 60 Park Lane, Croydon CR0 1JE; Morden Baptist Church, Crown Lane,

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Information about this proposed school

Morden SM4 5BL; and Lantern Methodist Church, Griffiths Road, London SW19 1SP.  Leaders of the proposed school intend to continue to make use of the following alternative provision: Nescot College, Epsom KT17 3DS; Sutton & District Training, Morden SM4 6JS; Cars and Auto Bikes Scheme, New Addington CR0 9DX; and Pirate Music Rehearsal Studios, Croydon CR0 4WF.  Leaders have plans to provide pupils with weekly physical education lessons at the local Legacy leisure and sports facility, Croydon CR0 2LG.

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Information about this inspection

 This was the proposed school’s first pre-registration inspection. It was also the first of four pre-registration inspections to consider the de-amalgamation of Cressey College into four smaller new schools.  The inspection was conducted with two days of notice.  The inspector met with senior leaders, including the headteacher and assistant headteacher. He also met online with two members of the proprietor body, including the chair. The inspector met with a pupil and spoke informally with other pupils as he toured the premises.  The inspector considered a range of evidence to check the likelihood of the proposed school meeting all the independent school standards and associated requirements.

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Inspection team

James Waite, lead inspector Ofsted Inspector guidance ‘Raising concerns and making a complaint about Ofsted’, which is available from Ofsted’s website: www.gov.uk/government/publications/complaints-about-ofsted . If you would like Ofsted to send you a copy of the guidance, please telephone 0300 123 1231, or email enquiries@ofsted.gov.uk .

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Inspection team

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Inspection team

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Inspection team

achieve excellence in the care of children and young people, and in education and skills for learners of all ages. It regulates and inspects childcare and children’s social care, and inspects the Children and Family Court Advisory and Support Service (Cafcass), schools, colleges, initial teacher training, further education and skills, adult and community learning, and education and training in prisons and other secure establishments. It assesses council children’s services, and inspects services for children looked after, safeguarding and child protection.

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Inspection team

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Inspection team

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Inspection team

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